Daley Blind’s knee injury has deepened Manchester United’s defensive crisis as they prepare for Saturday’s trip to Arsenal, with serious doubts already about David de Gea and Michael Carrick.
Blind suffered the problem playing for Holland in their 6-0 win over Latvia on Sunday, while De Gea’s dislocated finger and Carrick’s groin injury also came on international duty.
While Blind’s father, Danny, is advising caution regarding the diagnosis, fears are growing in the Netherlands that the midfielder could be out until Christmas or even longer. Blind is due to have a scan in Amsterdam or Manchester on Monday – depending on United’s preference.
After Holland’s win over Latvia, Guus Hiddink, the coach, said: “I’m rather negative. I think it’s a medial ligament that is twisted. It might be a rupture.” De Gea may face an extended period out due to his finger injury meaning Louis van Gaal will have to call on the Dane Anders Lindegaard, who nearly left United in the summer.
With Carrick’s availability for the game at Arsenal also in the balance, Van Gaal has to address a serious crisis in defence as Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Rafael da Silva may not be match fit, according to the manager, who is aware that Radamel Falco could also struggle to start.
Asked before the international break whether the four would be fit to meet Arsenal, Van Gaal said: “No, I don’t think so because now some of them have already not played for five, six, seven weeks. They could sit on the bench because they can play 20 minutes but I cannot put a lot of players who are not 100% fit on the bench.”
